Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance: Directed by Park Chan-Wook. With Kang-ho Song, Shin Ha-kyun, Bae Doona, Ji-Eun Lim. A recently laid off factory worker kidnaps his former boss’ friend’s daughter, hoping to use the ransom money to pay for his sister’s kidney transplant.

“All I could think of during the last 20 minutes of this amazing film is how I am feeling the exact same way I felt as the final act played out in u0026quot;Taxi Driveru0026quot;, were the only word floating through my brain and out my mouth was u0026quot;Jesusu0026quot;. Anyway I was blown away. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI must admit that violence has not bothered me too much in my 25 years of watching films. It did affect me when I saw u0026quot;Taxi Driveru0026quot; for the first time, and it did truly mess me up when I saw u0026quot;Irreversibleu0026quot; and now this film. I donu0026#39;t think I can handle too much anymore. I am glad that I was not prepared for the last act of this film. I was lulled into trance while watching the film unfold, it was mesmerizing. I loved everything about it, the acting, the story, again I had no Idea where it was going, I say again because I have mentioned this point in previous reviews, Asian films kick ass because they donu0026#39;t pander to focus groups or near sighted Hollywood suits, they take you places you either have no Idea where your going or take you places where you may feel the need to turn back but canu0026#39;t.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe relationships in this film are so pure, so real and beautiful, especially between the little girl and her captures. I love the way they set up the scene that would be the catalyst for the ensuing mayhem, even until the last second you arenu0026#39;t sure how far they were going to take it. I donu0026#39;t want to ruin anything so I will stop now.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI recommend this film to anyone who appreciates a films that break all the rules, films that are not easy to digest, films that are beautiful and tragic at the same time, and guaranteed if you see this film you will feel sympathy for anyone who is put into that postion, sympathy on both sides, Vengeance is like a pebble in the water.”